Methods and devices for sensor-based user interface control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining a characteristic of handedness includes sensing a rotation of a mobile device, determining a direction of rotation based at least in part on accessing information indicative of a first position state prior to sensing the rotation and accessing information indicative of a second position state subsequent to sensing the rotation, and determining the characteristic of handedness based at least in part on the direction of rotation, the first position state, and the second position state. The characteristic of handedness includes one of a left handedness or right handedness. The method further includes determining a user interface mode based on the characteristic of handedness determined, and controlling the mobile device in accordance with the user interface mode determined.